89

of the United States, which up to this point had maintained strict neutrality, proposed that a sub-committee be set up to study all aspects of establishment of the headquarters not only at the sites reported upon, but also other New York sites and San Francisco. This resolution, as subsequently amended to include other sites at Boston and Philadelphia, was approved. The sub-committee eventually visited these places and reported back to the Committee on 4 December. In their report they stated that the Presidio site at San Francisco and the free gift of land at Philadelphia were equal in merit, and that the Westchester site in the New York area was next in order of preference. Mr D. Wilson explained the New Zealand attitude to the effect that, notwithstanding the fact that, from a purely selfish point of view, it would suit New Zealand better if the headquarters were at San Francisco, the New Zealand delegation would support the Headquarters being situated on the eastern coast of the United States because it would be in the best interests of the United Nations as a world organization and much more convenient for the vast majority of member nations. He suggested that Philadelphia would best meet every requirement. The Soviet delegation strongly opposed going to the west coast, and stated that if that decision was arrived at it was possible that the Soviet Union would not send delegates. At the next meeting the United States delegation informed the Committee that they were not in favour of the Pacific coast, but considered that the headquarters should be on the east coast, and proposed that a vote be first taken between the east and west coasts. Subsequently, the United States delegation indicated that new sites were on offer from Boston, New York, and other places, and moved that the choice of site be deferred until the next session of the General Assembly. The New Zealand delegate opposed this, urging the need for an early decision, and was supported by the United Kingdom, India, and other delegations. On 11 December, while further consideration was being given to this United States suggestion, the United States delegate announced that Mr John D. Rockefeller, Jr., was prepared to make a gift of $8,500,000 for the purchase of about 18 acres of land and buildings situated in Manhattan, New York City, between the East River and First Avenue between 42nd and 48th Streets, for the purpose of erecting skyscraper buildings which would house all the headquarters officers of the United Nations. While some serious doubts were held whether a decision on such a vital matter as the headquarters of the United Nations should properly be influenced by a private donation, however munificent, and whether a " skyscraper " world capital could possess the advantages of a more spacious area, it was generally agreed that the proposal had obvious merits, and on 12 December it was finally agreed that this offer should be accepted, the voting being 33 for, 7 against, and 6 abstentions. The